Impacts & Accomplishments 2026
STORIES
2/16/20263 min read
'Earth Hour' Success Story at Christie Gardens
On March 27th, 2026, CARH Communications Coordinator Esther Collier brought our message of climate action to Christie Gardens, a not-for-profit continuum-of-care retirement community in Toronto. What started as a simple, everyday conversation with Marcelina, a Personal Support Worker (PSW) caring for Esther’s mother, blossomed into a powerful building-wide environmental movement.
As Marcelina's urged Esther to share climate solutions with the entire community, Esther delivered a presentation on 'Earth Hour' and the dual biodiversity and climate crises facing our planet. The presentation quickly catalyzed community-wide action:
Building Mobilization: Residents volunteered as floor representatives to knock on doors and coordinate a collective "lights out" effort.
Staff Promotion: Christie Gardens staff member Teresa Ramirez supported the initiative with elevator signage and event promotion.
62% Reduction: Photographic tracking of the building's 238 east-facing windows revealed that lit rooms plummeted from 42% before the event to just 16% during Earth Hour—achieving an incredible 62% reduction!
Festivals Festivals Festivals!
We are going to co-host the 3rd Eco Family Festival with Coucnillor Scott Thompson. We will also engage with the public through interactive activities to inspire climate actions at city-wide events including the Earth Day, Maple Syrup Festival, Spring Festival, among others!
Foundational Science Classes
(Led by Net Zero Committee, Richmond Hill United Church)
The Chair of Net Zero Committee of Richmond Hill United Church, Esther Collier, also Communications Coordinator of Climate Action Richmond Hill led a series of foundational science classes to empower citizens with foundational scientific knowledge and foster wise decision-making for a sustainable future.
Moving forward, the residents and staff committed to normalizing daily climate conversations during lunch and family gatherings to build collective strength. This incredible local story proves that simple individual conversations can truly lead to community action and change. As Marcelina powerfully reminded the community, “Silence is NOT an option!”
The classes covered 5 areas – Building Blocks of the Universe; Moving Heat; the Body & Biosphere; Chemicals & Health; and Sifting for Truth in an Information Age.
Participants explored thermodynamic principles and practical ways to heat and cool their homes efficiently. Attendees learned that the biosphere is incredibly complex and interconnected. Essential elements are continually recycled through the water and carbon cycles. The modern surge of novel synthetic chemicals threatens global planetary boundaries. Attendees learned that safeguarding Richmond Hill's local ecosystems involves protecting the soil via proper tree mulching; preserving urban wild spaces to filter and absorb groundwater; and avoiding clear-cutting in favor of biodiverse tree planting to build resilient carbon sinks. The class encouraged community members to stand against the commercial exploitation of natural water resources, protect local canopy cover, maintain biodiversity, and advocate for wild spaces that naturally cool the municipality and prevent regional flooding.
At the end of the series, learners can confidently embrace sustainable lifestyle choices, such as reducing single-use chemical plastics, trying plant-based diets, and adopting home energy efficiency measures. They also become aware of the importance of evidence-based and peer-reviewed scientific inquiry, while integrating lessons from indigenous and local knowledge systems.
The class series' slides can be retrieved here. The class materials may be used for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the author is clearly acknowledged.